A cyclist has died following a crash which shut down the A127.

The cyclist was involved in a crash with a van on the road moving south-bound, near to the Dick Turpin pub on the Southend Arterial Road, near Wickford.

A spokesman for Essex Police, said: "Sadly the cyclist, a 30-year-old man from Chadwell Heath, died at the scene.

"The driver, a 42-year-old man from Tonbridge in Kent, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is currently in custody for questioning.

"The Southend-bound carriageway is currently closed and diversions are in place.

"Drivers are asked to avoid the area."

Staff that live above the Dick Turpin were very upset when they were informed of the incident by police.

Sinead Spaulding, assistant manager of the pub said they could see the highways teams clearing the area after the incident has taken place.

The pub was unable to trade until around 2.30pm.

She said: "We were quite lucky that it happened about 100 yards down the road from our pub.

"The police came banging on the doors and the staff who live here came scarpering down to find what had happened.

"The police were fantastic with us and very informative.

"It is horrible and our staff who were here are very upset.

"We are happy to be trading but it is so sad that somebody has passed away so close to the pub.

"We do not know who they are yet, we just hope it isn't one of our locals who we are close to ourselves."

The road continues to remain closed in both directions.

Witnesses or anyone who captured dash cam footage are asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01245 240590 or email CollisionAppeal@essex.pnn.police.uk